Plant cage kit

ABSTRACT

A plant cage kit includes a wire grid, a bottom ring, and a top ring. The wire grid has a plurality of first and second spaced-apart wires. Each of the second wires is coupled to each of the first wires to form the wire grid. The first end of each second wire is formed into a loop and the second end of each second wire is formed into a hook. The hook of each second wire engages the loop of the same second wire when the plant cage kit is in the assembled configuration. When the plant cage kit is in the shipping configuration, the plurality of first wires is generally positioned in a first plane such that wire grid has a generally flat shape. The bottom and top rings have a generally U-shaped cross-section portion forming respective channels.

COPYRIGHT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patentdisclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patentfiles or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rightswhatsoever.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to plant cages and, moreparticularly, to a kit having components capable of being shipped in arelatively flat box and assembled into a generally circular plant cage.

BACKGROUND

Plant cages are typically preformed into cone shapes or generallycylindrical shapes and sold at stores as such. These preassembled plantcages make it difficult for the average consumer or farmer to transportlarge amounts of the preassembled plant cages because of the volumetaken up by the plant cages. While some known plant cages are stackable,even these stackable plant cages require large volumes of space fortransporting. Further, known preassembled plant cages are typically madeof metal wires and have several sharp points protruding from theassembled cages. As such, transporting such cages in a front or backseat of a car or truck runs the risk of the preassembled plant cagepiercing the fabric of the vehicle. The present disclosure is directedtoward solving these and other problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a plantcage kit having an assembled configuration and a shipping configurationincludes a wire grid, a bottom ring, and a top ring. The wire grid has aplurality of first spaced-apart wires and a plurality of secondspaced-apart wires. Each of the second wires is coupled to each of thefirst wires to form the wire grid. Each of the second wires has a firstend and a second end opposing the first end. The first end of eachsecond wire is formed into a loop and the second end of each second wireis formed into a hook. The hook of each second wire engages the loop ofthe same second wire when the plant cage kit is in the assembledconfiguration. When the plant cage kit is in the shipping configuration,the plurality of first wires is generally positioned in a first plane,the loops thereof are generally positioned in the first plane, and thehooks thereof are generally positioned in a second plane that isgenerally perpendicular to the first plane. The bottom ring has agenerally U-shaped cross-section portion forming a channel such that inthe assembled position a bottom one of the second wires is substantiallypositioned within the channel of the bottom ring. The top ring has agenerally U-shaped cross-section portion forming a channel such that inthe assembled position a top one of the second wires is substantiallypositioned within the channel of the top ring.

According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a plantcage kit having an assembled configuration and a shipping configurationincludes a wire grid, a bottom ring, and a top ring. The wire grid has aplurality of first spaced-apart wires and a plurality of secondspaced-apart wires. Each of the second wires is coupled to each of thefirst wires to form the wire grid. Each of the second wires has a firstend and a second end opposing the first end. The first end of eachsecond wire is formed into a loop and the second end of each second wireis formed into a hook. The hook of each second wire engages the loop ofthe same second wire when the plant cage kit is in the assembledconfiguration. When the plant cage kit is in the shipping configuration,the plurality of first wires is generally positioned in a first plane,the hooks are generally positioned in the first plane, and the loops aregenerally positioned in a second plane that is generally perpendicularto the first plane. The bottom ring has a generally U-shapedcross-section portion forming a channel. The channel of the bottom ringhas a bulge portion. The bulge portion of the channel of the bottom ringincludes an aperture therein. In the assembled position a bottom one ofthe second wires is substantially positioned within the channel of thebottom ring such that the loop of the bottom one of the second wires isat least partially positioned within the bulge portion of the channel ofthe bottom ring and such that the hook of the bottom one of the secondwires extends through the aperture. The top ring has a generallyU-shaped cross-section portion forming a channel. The channel of the topring has a bulge portion. In the assembled position a top one of thesecond wires is substantially positioned within the channel of the topring such that the loop of the top one of the second wires is at leastpartially positioned within the bulge portion of the channel of the topring.

According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a plantcage kit having an assembled configuration and a shipping configurationincludes a wire grid, a bottom ring, and a top ring. The wire grid has aplurality of first spaced-apart wires and a plurality of secondspaced-apart wires. Each of the second wires is coupled to each of thefirst wires to form the wire grid. Each of the second wires has a firstend and a second end opposing the first end. The first end of eachsecond wire is formed into a loop and the second end of each second wireis formed into a hook. The hook of each second wire engages the loop ofthe same second wire when the plant cage kit is in the assembledconfiguration such that the wire grid has a generally curved shape. Whenthe plant cage kit is in the shipping configuration, the plurality offirst wires is generally positioned in a first plane such that wire gridhas a generally flat shape. The bottom ring has a generally U-shapedcross-section portion forming a channel such that in the assembledposition a bottom one of the second wires is substantially positionedwithin the channel of the bottom ring. The top ring has a generallyU-shaped cross-section portion forming a channel such that in theassembled position a top one of the second wires is substantiallypositioned within the channel of the top ring.

Additional aspects of the present disclosure will be apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art in view of the detailed description ofvarious implementations, which is made with reference to the drawings, abrief description of which is provided below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a wire grid of a plant cage kit of FIG.4A according to some aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a wire grid of an alternative plantcage kit of FIG. 4B according to some aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a top and bottom ring of the plant cagekit of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a top and bottom ring of the plant cagekit of FIG. 4B;

FIG. 3A is a partially exploded perspective view of the plant cage kitof FIG. 4A;

FIG. 3B is a partially exploded perspective view of the plant cage kitof FIG. 4B;

FIG. 4A is an assembled perspective view of a plant cage kit accordingto some aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4B is an assembled perspective view of an alternative plant cagekit according to some aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A is a partially exploded perspective view of another alternativeplant cage kit having two wire grid portions according to some aspectsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 5B is a partially exploded perspective view of yet anotheralternative plant cage kit having two wire grid portions according tosome aspects of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a plant cage kit in a shippingconfiguration according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

While the present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific implementations have been shown by way ofexample in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. Itshould be understood, however, that the present disclosure is notintended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, thepresent disclosure is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents,and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this disclosure is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described indetail preferred implementations of the disclosure with theunderstanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as anexemplification of the principles of the disclosure and is not intendedto limit the broad aspect of the disclosure to the implementationsillustrated. For purposes of the present detailed description, thesingular includes the plural and vice versa (unless specificallydisclaimed); the words “and” and “or” shall be both conjunctive anddisjunctive; the word “all” means “any and all”; the word “any” means“any and all”; and the word “including” means “including withoutlimitation.”

A first plant cage kit is described in reference to FIGS. 1A, 2A, 3A,and 4A having a single wire grid portion. A second plant cage kit isdescribed in reference to FIG. 5A that is similar to the plant cage kitof FIGS. 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A, where like reference numbers are used forlike components, except that the wire grid of FIG. 5A has two separateand distinct portions that are joined by an intermediate ring describedbelow. A third plant cage kit is described in reference to FIGS. 1B, 2B,3B, and 4B that is similar to the plant cage kit of FIGS. 1A, 2A, 3A,and 4A, where like reference numbers are used for like components,except that the hooks and loops of the wire grid of FIGS. 1B, 2B, 3B,and 4B have different relative positions as compared to the hooks andloops of the wire grid of the implementation of FIGS. 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4Aand the top and bottom rings include additional features (e.g., a bulgeportion, an aperture). A fourth plant cage kit is described in referenceto FIG. 5B that is similar to the plant cage kit of FIGS. 1B, 2B, 3B,and 4B, where like reference numbers are used for like components,except that the wire grid of FIG. 5B has two separate and distinctportions that are joined by an intermediate ring described below. Theplant cage kits of FIGS. 5A and 5B can be used, for example, to supportpole beans that can grow to great heights. The plant cage kits of FIGS.1A-4B can be used, for example, to support tomato plants. Tomatoes arerelatively heavy fruits, so the plant cage kit is configured to supportthe growth of tomatoes without breaking or drooping while allowing thetomato plants to remain upright without toppling over or titling to oneside, even in adverse weather conditions including high winds. The plantcage kits of the present disclosure are not limited to any particularfruit or vegetable or plant, but tomatoes and pole beans are identifiedas non-exhausted examples of suitable types of plants that can besupported by the plant cage kits described herein. The plant cage kitsof the present disclosure advantageously remain stably anchored to theground, do not lean or topple over even when laden with fruit (or otherplants) or during high winds, can be stacked without losing stability,are easy to transport and assemble and disassemble using only a fewparts, and maintain their shape and rigidity, to name a few.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A, a plant cage kit 100(shown in its assembled configuration in FIG. 4A and partially explodedin FIG. 3A) includes a wire grid 110 (FIGS. 1A, 3A, 4A), a top ring 120(FIGS. 2A, 3A, 4A), a bottom ring 130 (FIGS. 2A, 3A, 4A), a plurality ofcage stakes 140 (FIGS. 3A, 4A), a plurality of fastening elements 150(FIGS. 3A, 4A), and a garden stake 160 (FIGS. 3A, 4A). While the plantcage kit 100 is shown in its assembled configuration in FIG. 4A, theplant cage kit 100 is shipped and/or shippable in a shippingconfiguration/unassembled configuration (e.g., shown in FIG. 6) wherethe components of the plant cage kit 100 are generally flat and stackedmaking the plant cage kit 100 easier for a consumer to transport and/orcarry.

Referring specifically to FIG. 1A, the wire grid 110 is shown in itspreassembled configuration and/or in its shipping configuration. In theshipping configuration, the wire grid 110 has a generally flat shape,compared to its assembled configuration (FIG. 4A) where the wire grid110 has a generally curved shaped (e.g., cylindrical shape). The wiregrid 110 includes a multitude of first spaced-apart wires 112 and amultitude of second spaced-apart wires 114. In the assembledconfiguration (FIG. 4A), the first wires 112 are generally vertical andthe second wires 114 are generally horizontal (FIG. 4A); however, thefirst and the second wires 112 and 114 can have any orientation (e.g.,diagonal, crisscross, etc.) and can form a diamond-shaped or lattice orsquare or rectangular spacing pattern, for example.

The first wires 112 and/or the second wires 114 can be made from anymaterial, such as, for example, metal (e.g., galvanized wire mesh,steel, aluminum, copper), plastic, or any combination thereof. The firstand the second wires 112, 114 can have the same gauge or thickness.Alternatively, some of the first wires 112 and/or some of the secondwires 114 have a first gauge or thickness that is different than thegauge or thickness of the other wires. For example, the top most secondwire 114 a and the bottom most second wire 114 b can be of a first gauge(e.g., 10 gauge) and the rest of the second wires 114 and the firstwires 112 can be of a second gauge (e.g., 12 gauge).

As best shown in FIG. 1A, each of the second wires 114 is coupled toeach of the first wires 112 to form the wire grid 110. Specifically,each of the first wires is coupled to the top most second wire 114 a bybeing coiled therearound. Similarly, each of the first wires 112 iscoupled to the bottom most second wire 114 b by being coiledtherearound. Further, each of the first wires 112 is coupled to the restof the second wires 114, such as, for example, by a wire knot 115. Asbest shown in FIG. 3A, each of the wire knots 115 includes a piece ofwire that has a generally figure-eight shape that is bent into agenerally C-shape. As such, during the assembly of the wire grid 100,the first wires 112 can be threaded through the openings of the figureeight portion and the second wires 114 can be threaded between the firstwires 112 and the center portion of the bent wire knots 115.Alternatively, the wire knot 115 can be a piece of wire that is tiedand/or bent around the first and the second wires 112, 114 whenpositioned in a crisscross or intersecting fashion. Various alternativemethods for coupling the first and the second wires 112 and 114 togetherare possible and contemplated herein (e.g., welding, cable ties,coiling, etc.).

Each of the second wires 114 has a first end 117 a and an opposingsecond end 117 b. The first end 117 a of each second wire 114 is formedinto a loop 116 (e.g., a U-shaped loop, a P-shaped loop, a V-shapedloop, an O-shaped loop, etc.) and the second end 117 b of each secondwire 114 is formed into a hook 118 (e.g., an L-shaped hook, etc.). Asshown in FIG. 4A, the hooks 118 of each second wire 114 engage the loops116 of the same second wire 114 when the plant cage kit 100 is in theassembled configuration. As best shown in FIG. 1A, when the plant cagekit 100 is in the shipping configuration, the first wires 112 aregenerally positioned in a first plane (e.g., the X-Y plane), the loops116 of the second wires 114 are generally positioned in the first plane(e.g., the X-Y plane), and the hooks 118 of the second wires 114 aregenerally positioned in a second plane (e.g., the Y-Z plane) that isgenerally perpendicular to the first plane (e.g., the X-Y plane). Withreference to FIGS. 3A and 4A, the positioning of the loops 116 and hooks118 in such generally perpendicular planes aids in the maintaining ofthe wire grid 110 in its assembled configuration (FIG. 4A) as the hooks118 are positioned to engage the loops 116 (FIG. 4A).

Referring to FIG. 1A, in the shipping configuration, the wire grid 110has a height, H_(g), between about one foot and about five feet. In someimplementations, in the shipping configuration, the wire grid 110 has aheight, H_(g), between about two feet and about four feet. In some otherimplementations, in the shipping configuration, the wire grid 110 has aheight, H_(g), of about three feet. In yet some other implementations,in the shipping configuration, the wire grid 110 has a height, H_(g), ofabout one and a half feet. In the shipping configuration, the wire grid110 has a width, W, between about three feet and about six feet. In someimplementations, in the shipping configuration, the wire grid 110 has awidth, W, of about four and a half feet. The hooks 118 have a height,H_(h), between about half an inch and about three inches. In some otherimplementations, the hooks have a height, H_(h), between about one inchand two inches. In the shipping configuration, each of the first wires112 are spread apart from one another by a spread distance, SD_(w),between about one inch and about ten inches, but more preferably betweenabout three inches and about eight inches. For example, the openingbetween wires should be large enough to allow a human hand to reachthrough to pluck tomatoes or other fruits or vegetables from the plantgrowing inside the plant cage, but small enough to allow the plant cageto remain in a rigid, upright state even during high winds and even whenloaded with heavy tomato fruit. In some implementations, in the shippingconfiguration, each of the first wires 112 are spread apart from oneanother by a spread distance, SD_(w), of about six inches. In theshipping configuration, each of the second wires 114 are spread apartfrom one another by a spread distance, SD_(h), between about one inchand about ten inches, but more preferably between about three inches andabout eight inches. In some implementations, in the shippingconfiguration, each of the second wires 114 are spread apart from oneanother by a spread distance, SD_(h), of about six inches. As shown inFIG. 4A, in the assembled configuration, the wire grid 110 has adiameter, D_(g), between about one foot and about two feet. In somealternative implementations, in the assembled configuration, the wiregrid 110 has a diameter, D_(g), between about 1.2 feet and about 1.6feet. In some other implementations, in the assembled configuration, thewire grid 110 has a diameter, D_(g), of about 1.4 feet. The dimensionslisted herein are exemplary and are not intended to limit allimplementations of the present disclosure; however, the dimensions ofthe plant cage kit 100 should be selected such that in the assembledconfiguration, the plant cage kit 100 is suitable for supporting a plantpositioned therein, such as, for example, a tomato plant, a pole beanplant, etc. Further, the dimensions of the plant cage kit 100 should beselected such that in the shipping configuration (e.g., FIG. 6), theplant cage kit 100 is suitable for transporting in a standard consumerautomobile, truck, etc. and/or relatively easy for a single person tocarry the plant cage kit 100 in a shipping box (e.g., not too large inany one dimension to grab/hold the shipping box).

Referring to FIG. 2A, the top ring 120 and the bottom ring 130 are shownas being substantially identical and in some implementations can beidentical. As shown in FIG. 2A, the top ring 120 and the bottom ring 130both have a generally U-shaped cross-section. The U-shaped cross-sectionof the top ring 120 forms a channel 122. The channel 122 is sized andpositioned such that, in the assembled position (FIG. 4A), the top mostsecond wire 114 a (FIGS. 1A, 3A) is substantially positioned within thechannel 122. The top ring 120 has an outside height, H_(o), betweenabout half an inch and about three inches, but more preferably betweenabout one inch and two inches. The top ring 120 has an inside height,H_(i), between about a quarter of an inch and about two and a halfinches, but more preferably between about a half inch and one and halfinches. Further, the top ring 120 has an outside diameter, d_(o),between about half an inch and about three inches, but more preferablybetween about one inch and two inches. The top ring 120 has an insidediameter, d_(i), between about a quarter of an inch and about two and ahalf inches, but more preferably between about a half inch and one and ahalf inches. In some implementations, the thickness, t_(c), of thechannel 122 is between about a quarter of an inch and one inch, but morepreferably about half an inch in thickness.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 2A, the U-shaped cross-section of the bottomring 130 forms a channel 132. The channel 132 is sized and positionedsuch that, in the assembled position (FIG. 4A), the bottom most secondwire 114 b (FIGS. 1A, 3A) is substantially positioned within the channel132. The bottom ring 130 has an outside height, H_(o), an inside height,H_(i), an outside diameter, d_(o), an inside diameter, d_(i), and athickness, t_(c), that are the same as, or similar to, the dimensionsdiscussed in reference to the top ring 120, where like dimensionalreferences are used for like dimensions.

The top ring 120 and the bottom ring 130 can be made from any material,such as, for example, metal (e.g., steel, aluminum, copper), plastic,rubber, or any combination thereof. While the cross-section of the topring 120 and the cross-section of the bottom ring 130 are shown as beingsubstantially constant along the circumference of the top and the bottomrings 120, 130, the cross-section can be varied at any point or pointsalong the circumference of the top ring 120 and/or the bottom ring 130(e.g., a bulge portion can be included as shown in FIG. 2B and asdescribed herein). The top ring 120 and/or the bottom ring 130 aid inmaintaining the shape and cylindrical structure of the plant cage kit100. The bottom ring 130 aids in assembling the plant cage, as itprovides the channel 132 into which to insert the ends of the wire grid110 as it is bent into a round shape. Without the bottom ring 130,bending the wire grid 110 into a cylindrical shape can be an awkward,frustrating task. Thanks in part to the top ring 120 and the bottom ring130, the plant cage kits 100 can maintain its shape even when laden withfruit (or other heavy plants) and even during high winds.

Referring to FIG. 3A, three cage stakes 140 are shown, however, anynumber of cage stakes 140 can be included in the plant cage kit 100(e.g., one, two, four, five, ten, etc.). The more cage stakes 140 usedduring installation/assembly of the plant cage kit 100, the more rigidthe connection of the plant cage kit 100 with the ground G receiving theplant cage kit 100. Each of the cage stakes 140 has a body portion 142and a hook portion 144 (FIG. 3A). The tip of the body portion 142 can bepointed to aid in the insertion of the cage stake 140 into the ground G.Alternatively, the tip of the cage stakes 140 can be flat, rounded, orany other shape.

During installation of the plant cage kit 100, the hook portion 144 ofthe cage stake 140 is generally positioned above the bottom second wire114 b and the bottom ring 130. The body portion 142 of the cage stake140 is then pressed into the ground G a sufficient distance (e.g., fiveto eight inches)—using for example a sledge hammer, the assembler'sfoot, etc. —such that the hook portion 144 engages and/or contacts anupper portion of the bottom ring 130 as shown in FIG. 4A. As such, thecage stakes 140 hold the plant cage kit 100 in engagement with theground G, thereby adding rigidity to the plant cage kit 100 in itsassembled configuration (FIG. 4A). Further the cage stakes 140 preventthe plant cage kit 100 from falling or blowing over when a plant ispositioned therein. The cage stakes 140 can be made from any rigidmaterial, such as, for example, metal (e.g., steel, aluminum, copper),plastic, or any combination thereof.

In order to convert the plant cage kit 100 from the shippingconfiguration (e.g., FIG. 6) to the assembled configuration (FIG. 4A),the bottom ring 130 is positioned on the ground G with the channel 132facing upward, as shown in FIG. 3A. Then, one end of the wire grid 110is positioned in the channel 132. The assembler (not shown) then bendsthe wire grid 110 from its flat configuration (FIG. 1A) into a curvedconfiguration (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4A). In order to aid in such abending process, the assembler can use the channel 132 to help guide thewire grid 110 into the proper curved configuration. As the assemblerbends the wire grid 110 into and/or along the channel 132, the assemblercan position and install the cage stakes 140 one at a time, therebyaiding in maintaining the wire grid 110 in position as the rest of thewire grid 110 is bent and/or converted into the curved configuration(FIG. 4A). When the wire grid 110 is fully bent into the curvedconfiguration (FIG. 4A), the assembler then engages each of the hooks118 with a corresponding one of the loops 116 to hold the wire grid 110in the assembled position (FIG. 4A). In some implementations, the hooks118 are merely positioned within the loops 116, yet in otherimplementations, the hooks are positioned within the loops 116 and thenbent (e.g., using a tool like a pliers) to further maintain the wiregrid 110 in the assembled configuration.

After the wire grid 110 is bent into its assembled configuration (FIG.4A), the top ring 120 is positioned on the top second wire 114 a. Tofurther add rigidity to the plant cage kit 100 in the assembledconfiguration, one or more fastening elements 150 can be positionedand/or tied around the top ring 120 and the top second wire 114 a asshown in FIG. 4A. The fastening elements 150 can be, for example, cableties, wire, string, tape, etc.

To further add rigidity to the plant cage kit 100, the garden stake 160can be installed next to the wire grid 110 as shown in FIG. 4A. The term“garden stake” as used herein has a meaning as understood by thoseskilled in the art of gardening. As best shown in FIG. 3A, the gardenstake 160 includes a first shaft portion 162 a, a second shaft portion162 b, and a stopper portion 164 positioned between and/or on the firstand the second shaft portions 162 a,b. To install the garden stake 160,the assembler inserts the garden stake partially into the ground G suchthat the second shaft portion 162 first enters the ground G and suchthat the stopper portion 164 at least partially enters into the groundG. A sledge hammer and/or the assembler's foot can be used for such aninstallation. The first shaft portion 162 a remains above the ground Gnext to the curved wire grid 110. The garden stake 160 is positionedrelative to the wire grid 110 such that the garden stake 160 aids insupporting the wire grid 110 against lateral forces (e.g., blowing wind,etc.). In some implementations, the garden stake 160 is coupled to aportion of the wire grid 110 (e.g., using one or more fasteningelements) to further aid in supporting the wire grid 110.

Now referring to FIG. 5A, a plant cage kit 200 similar to the plant cagekit 100 is shown, where like reference numbers are used for likecomponents. The plant cage kit 200 includes a first wire grid portion110 a, a second wire grid portion 110 b, a top ring 120, an intermediatering 220, a bottom ring 130, a plurality of cage stakes 140, a pluralityof fastening elements 150, and two garden stakes 160.

The plant cage kit 200 mainly differs from the plant cage kit 100 inthat the plant cage kit 200 includes two separate and distinct portionsof wire grids 110 a and 110 b and an intermediate ring 220 positionedtherebetween. The first and the second portions of wire grid 110 a and110 b (FIG. 5A) are identical to the wire grid 110 (FIG. 1A).Alternatively, the first and the second portions of wire grid 110 a and110 b are about half of the height of the wire grid 110, but areidentical in all other respects (e.g., the spread distances SD_(w) andSD_(h) remain the same). Such an implementation having two relativelyshorter wire grids 110 a, 110 b allows for a shipping container to beused that is about half the length (e.g., see length L_(SC) in FIG. 6)of the shipping container containing the plant cage kit 100.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the intermediate ring 220 has a generally H-shapedcross-section forming a first channel 222 a and an opposing secondchannel 222 b. The first and the second channels 222 a, 222 b have thesame, or similar, dimensions as the channels 122, 132 (FIG. 2A). In thefully assembled configuration of the plant cage kit 200 (not shown), thebottom one of the second wires 114 b of the second wire grid portion 110b is positioned substantially and/or fully within the first channel 222a of the intermediate ring 220. Similarly, in the fully assembledconfiguration of the plant cage kit 200 (not shown), the top one of thesecond wires 114 a of the first wire grid portion 110 a is positionedsubstantially and/or fully within the second channel 222 b of theintermediate ring 220. Once so positioned, fastening elements 150 can besecured therearound to further aid in coupling the first and the secondwire grid portions 110 a, 110 b together.

In an implementation where the plant cage kit 200 has a relativelylarger height than the plant cage kit 100 (e.g., about twice the overallheight), the two garden stakes 160 shown in FIG. 5A (e.g., instead of asingle garden stake 160) can be installed to add additional rigidity tothe relatively taller plant cage kit 200 in the same manner as thesingle garden stake 160 was installed and discussed relative to theplant cage kit 100.

Now turning to the implementation shown in FIGS. 1B, 2B, 3B, and 4B,where like reference numbers are used for like components and likedimensional references are used for like dimensions. A plant cage kit300 (FIGS. 3B, 4B) includes a wire grid 310 (FIGS. 1B, 3B, 4B), a topring 320 (FIGS. 2B, 3B, 4B), a bottom ring 330 (FIGS. 2B, 3B, 4B), aplurality of cage stakes 140 (FIGS. 3B, 4B), a plurality of fasteningelements 150 (FIGS. 3B, 4B), and a garden stake 160 (FIGS. 3B, 4B).While the plant cage kit 300 is shown in its assembled configuration inFIG. 4 b, the plant cage kit 300 is shipped and/or shippable in ashipping configuration/unassembled configuration (e.g., shown in FIG. 6)where the components of the plant cage kit 300 are generally flat andstacked making the plant cage kit 300 easier for a consumer to transportand/or carry.

The wire grid 310 is similar to the wire grid 110 in that the firstwires 112 of the wire grid 310 are positioned in a first plane (e.g.,the X-Y plane); however, unlike the plant cage kit 100, the hooks 318 ofthe second wires 114 of the plant cage kit 300 are generally positionedin the first plane (e.g., the X-Y plane) and each of the loops 316 ofthe second wires 114 is generally positioned in a corresponding secondplane (e.g., a X-Z plane) that are each generally perpendicular to thefirst plane (e.g., the X-Y plane). With reference to FIGS. 3A and 4A,the positioning of the loops 316 and hooks 318 in such generallyperpendicular planes aids in the maintaining of the wire grid 310 in itsassembled configuration (FIG. 4B); however, the different positioning ofthe hooks 318 and loops 316 (as compared to the plant cage kit 100)requires a different configuration for the top and bottom rings 320, 330as shown in FIG. 2B and described below.

The top ring 320 is similar to the top ring 120 except that the top ring320 includes a bulge portion 322. The bulge portion 322 is generally awiden portion of the channel 122 positioned to accommodate the loop 316of the top second wire 114 a of the wire grid 310 in the assembledconfiguration (FIG. 4B). Such an accommodation of the loop 316 isnecessary in the implementation of FIGS. 1B, 2B, 3B, and 4B, because theloops 316 protrude in X-Z planes (not in a X-Y plane as in the plantcage kit 100). Further, in some implementations, the bulge portion 322itself and/or the engagement of the loop 316 with the bulge portion 322adds rigidity to the plant cage kit 300 in the assembled configuration(FIG. 4B).

The bottom ring 330 is similar to the bottom ring 130 except that thebottom ring 330 includes a bulge portion 332 and an aperture 335. Thebulge portion 332 is generally a widen portion of the channel 132positioned to accommodate the loop 316 of the bottom second wire 114 bas the wire grid 310 in the assembled configuration (FIG. 4B). Theaperture in the bulge portion 332 of the channel 132 is necessary in theimplementation of FIGS. 1B, 2B, 3B, and 4B, because the hook 318 of thebottom second wire 114 b protrudes downward in the X-Y plane (not in theY-Z plane). Additionally, such an accommodation of the loop 316 in thebulge portion 332 is necessary in the implementation of FIGS. 1B, 2B,3B, and 4B, because the loops 316 protrude in X-Z planes (not in a X-Yplane). Further, in some implementations, the bulge portion 332 itselfand/or the engagement of the loop 316 with the bulge portion 332 addsrigidity to the plant cage kit 300 in the assembled configuration (FIG.4B). Moreover, as the hook 318 of the bottom second wire 114 b protrudesthrough the aperture 335 (best shown in FIG. 3B), the hook 318 engageswith the ground G, which aids in maintaining the positioning of theplant cage kit 300 and supporting a plant therein. In some suchimplementations, the engagement of the hook 318 of the bottom secondwire 114 b can replace the need for one of the cage stakes 140.

Assembly of the plant cage kit 300 is similar to the assembly of theplant cage kit 100 except that the hook 318 of the bottom second wire114 b is positioned through the aperture 335 in the bulge portion 332 ofthe bottom ring 330 after the wire grid 310 is fully converted/bent fromits flatten configuration (FIG. 1B) to its curved configuration (FIG.4B).

Now referring to FIG. 5B, a plant cage kit 400 similar to the plant cagekit 300 is shown, where like reference numbers are used for likecomponents. The plant cage kit 400 includes a first wire grid portion310 a, a second wire grid portion 310 b, a top ring 320, an intermediatering 420, a bottom ring 330, a plurality of cage stakes 140, a pluralityof fastening elements 150, and two garden stakes 160.

The plant cage kit 400 mainly differs from the plant cage kit 300 inthat the plant cage kit 400 includes two separate and distinct portionsof wire grids 310 a and 310 b and an intermediate ring 420 positionedtherebetween. The first and the second portions of wire grid 310 a and310 b (FIG. 5B) are identical to the wire grid 310 (FIG. 1B).Alternatively, the first and the second portions of wire grid 310 a and310 b are about half of the height of the wire grid 310, but areidentical in all other respects (e.g., the spread distances SD_(s) andSD_(h) remain the same). Such an implementation having two relativelyshorter wire grids 310 a, 310 b allows for a shipping container to beused that is about half the length (e.g., see length L_(SC) in FIG. 6)of the shipping container containing the plant cage kit 300.

As shown in FIG. 5B, the intermediate ring 420 has a generally H-shapedcross-section forming a first channel 422 a and an opposing secondchannel 422 b. The first and the second channels 422 a, 422 b have thesame, or similar, dimensions as the channels 122, 132 (FIG. 2A), exceptthat the first channel 422 a includes a bulge portion 423 a and anaperture 435 therein and similarly the second channel 422 b includes abulge portion 423 b and the aperture 435 therein. In the fully assembledconfiguration of the plant cage kit 400 (not shown), the bottom secondwire 114 b of the second wire grid portion 310 b is positionedsubstantially and/or fully within the first channel 422 a of theintermediate ring 420—such that the loop 316 of the bottom second wire114 b of the second wire grid portion 310 b is positioned in the firstbulge portion 423 a and such that the hook 318 of the bottom second wire114 b of the second wire grid portion 310 b is positioned through theaperture 435. Further, in the fully assembled configuration of the plantcage kit 400 (not shown), the top one of the second wires 114 a of thefirst wire grid portion 310 a is positioned substantially and/or fullywithin the second channel 422 b of the intermediate ring 420—such thatthe loop 316 of the top second wire 114 a of the first wire grid portion310 a is positioned in the second bulge portion 423 b. Once sopositioned, fastening elements 150 can be secured therearound to furtheraid in coupling the first and the second wire grid portions 310 a, 310 btogether.

Now referring to FIG. 6, a plant cage kit 500, the same as, or similarto, the plant cage kit 200, is shown in its shipping configuration (ascompared to an assembled configuration shown in, e.g., FIG. 5A).Specifically, a shipping container 501 (e.g., a cardboard box, etc.)includes a first wire grid portion 110 a, a second wire grid portion 110b, a top ring 120, an intermediate ring 220, a bottom ring 130, aplurality of cage stakes 140, a plurality of fastening elements 150, anda garden stake 160. As shown, all of the components of the plant cagekit 500 conveniently fit into the shipping container 501 having alength, L_(SC), a width, W_(SC), and a thickness, T_(SC). In someimplementations, the length, L_(SC), is between about one foot and aboutfour feet. In some implementations, the length, L_(SC), is about 1.6feet. In some implementations, the length, L_(SC), is about 3.1 feet. Insome implementations, the width, W_(SC), is between about four feet andabout five feet. In some implementations, the width, W_(SC), is about4.6 feet. In some implementations, the thickness, T_(SC), is betweenabout four inches and about eight inches. In some implementations, thethickness, T_(SC), is about five inches.

As shown in the figures and as described herein, the rings (e.g., rings120, 130, 220, 320, 330, 420) are shown as being unitary and/ormonolithic parts. Alternatively, any of the rings of the presentdisclosure can be made of two or more parts coupled together (e.g.,three parts, four parts, ten parts, etc.). For example, ring 120 canhave a first half and a second half where the first and the secondhalves are configured to be coupled together to form a single ring. Theparts of the multiple part rings can be coupled together using any knowncoupling mechanism, such as, for example, a katch mechanism, a buttonand tab with a hole mechanism, a snap fit mechanism, a press fitmechanism, etc. Further, such multiple part rings can be beneficial whenusing the plant cage kit with, for example, a tree that grows to betaller than the plant cage kit. In such a situation, removal of the ringwould require cutting or breaking the ring and/or trying to slide thering over the top of the tree, which would be difficult.

Each of the above implementations and obvious variations thereof iscontemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the claimedinvention, which is set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A plant cage kit having an assembledconfiguration and a shipping configuration, the plant cage kitcomprising: a wire grid having a plurality of first spaced-apart wiresand a plurality of second spaced-apart wires, each of the second wiresbeing coupled to each of the first wires to form the wire grid, the wiregrid including a first wire grid portion and a second wire grid portionthat is separate and distinct from the first wire grid portion, each ofthe second wires having a first end and a second end opposing the firstend, the first end of each second wire being formed into a loop and thesecond end of each second wire being formed into a hook, the hook ofeach second wire engaging the loop of the same second wire when theplant cage kit is in the assembled configuration such that the firstwire grid portion completes a circumference about a generally verticalaxis and such that the second wire grid portion completes acircumference about the generally vertical axis; whereas, when the plantcage kit is in the shipping configuration, the plurality of first wiresbeing generally positioned in a first plane; a bottom ring having agenerally U-shaped cross-section portion forming a channel such that inthe assembled position a bottom one of the second wires is substantiallypositioned within the channel of the bottom ring; a top ring having agenerally U-shaped cross-section portion forming a channel such that inthe assembled position a top one of the second wires is substantiallypositioned within the channel of the top ring; and an intermediate ringhaving a generally H-shaped cross-section for aiding in coupling thefirst and the second wire grid portions together.
 2. The plant cage kitof claim 1, where in the shipping configuration the wire grid has agenerally flat shape, and where in the assembled configuration the wiregrid has a generally curved cylindrical shape.
 3. The plant cage kit ofclaim 2, wherein the bottom ring aids in converting the wire grid fromthe generally flat shape to the generally curved cylindrical shape. 4.The plant cage kit of claim 1, where in the assembled configuration thetop ring, the intermediate ring, and the bottom ring aid in providingstructural rigidity to the wire grid.
 5. The plant cage kit of claim 1,further comprising a plurality of cage stakes, where in the assembledconfiguration each of the cage stakes is configured to hold the bottomone of the second wires within the channel of the bottom ring and tofurther hold the bottom ring in communication with a ground surface onwhich the wire grid rests.
 6. The plant cage kit of claim 1, furthercomprising a garden stake having a first shaft portion, a second shaftportion, and a stopper portion positioned between the first and thesecond shaft portions, the garden stake being configured to be partiallyimplanted into a ground surface supporting the plant cage kit in theassembled configuration such that the first shaft portion and thestopper portion are below grade, where in the assembled position thegarden stake is coupled to the wire grid via one or more fasteners andis further configured to aid in supporting the wire grid against lateralforces.
 7. The plant cage kit of claim 1, further comprising a pluralityof fastening elements, where in the assembled configuration each of thefastening elements is configured to hold the top one of the second wireswithin the channel of the top ring.
 8. The plant cage kit of claim 1,wherein the top and bottom ones of the second wires have a first gaugeand wherein the other ones of the second wires have a second gauge thatis different than the first gauge.
 9. The plant cage kit of claim 1,wherein the channel of the bottom ring has a width that is at leastabout three times a thickness of the bottom one of the second wires, andwherein the channel of the top ring has a width that is at least aboutthree times a thickness of the top one of the second wires.
 10. Theplant cage kit of claim 1, where in the assembled configuration, theplant cage kit has a height between about 1.5 feet and about 3.5 feetand a diameter between about 1.2 feet and about 1.6 feet.
 11. The plantcage kit of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of first spaced-apartwires is spaced apart by approximately six inches, and wherein each ofthe plurality of second spaced-apart wires is spaced apart byapproximately six inches.
 12. The plant cage kit of claim 1, where inthe shipping configuration, each of the components of the plant cage kitis configured to fit into a shipping container having a length less thanapproximately three and a half feet, a width less than approximatelyfive feet, and a thickness of less than approximately eight inches. 13.The plant cage kit of claim 1, wherein when the plant cage kit is in theshipping configuration, the loops of the second wires are generallypositioned in the first plane and wherein the hooks of the second wiresare generally positioned in a second plane that is generallyperpendicular to the first plane.